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Following is a question by the Hon Kam Nai-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 26):
Question:
Regarding the number and locations of 3-coloured waste separation bins, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective current total numbers of 3-coloured waste separation bins (and other waste separation bins) placed in various places throughout Hong Kong and dustbins placed on streets by the Government and their respective ratios, broken down by 18 District Council districts;
(b) of the respective current total numbers of 3-coloured waste separation bins (or other waste separation bins) currently placed in shopping centres, housing estates, commercial buildings and government buildings throughout Hong Kong, broken down by 18 District Council districts;
(c) of the respective quantities of wastes collected from those waste separation bins and dustbins in (a) in each of the past three years;
(d) whether it will encourage the placing of more 3-coloured waste separation bins (and other waste separation bins) in shopping centres, railway stations and commercial buildings; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(e) given that dustbins and waste separation bins are placed together in many places around the world (including Taiwan and Europe) to tie in with the waste disposal behaviour and habit of their citizens, whether the authorities will consider following such a practice when reforming the design of waste separation bins?
Reply:
President,
(a),(b)&(c) The overall waste recovery strategy currently implemented in Hong Kong focuses on waste separation and recovery at source. We have introduced various policy initiatives to encourage the public to set up systems of waste separation and recovery at source on domestic premises, workplace and public areas, and participate in waste separation and recovery. The Government launched the territory-wide Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste in 2005. As at end of April 2010, 1,480 housing estates have joined the programme, representing about 74% of our population. Coupled with related policy initiatives, the waste recovery rate in Hong Kong is rising steadily. The recovery rate of domestic waste rose significantly from 14% in 2004 to 35% in 2009. The quantities of recyclables collected through various channels and the total quantities of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of in the past three years are as follows :
Year Total Quantities Total Quantities Recovery
of MSW Disposed of Recyclables Rate of
of(million tonnes) (million tonnes) MSW
---- ----------------- --------------- --------
2007 335 281 46%
2008 330 314 49%
2009 327 318 49%
For public convenience, the Government has placed about 38,600 waste separation bins in public areas (including roadside, refuse collection points, parks, sports venues, leisure and cultural facilities, and country parks) as well as schools, housing estates and government buildings, etc. These waste separation bins placed at conspicuous positions have all along played an important role in promoting waste reduction and environmental education. For these 3-coloured waste separation bins in public areas, schools, housing estates and government buildings etc, we do not have any account of the total quantities of recyclables recovered from different management units.
(d) The recovery rate of commercial and industrial waste is consistently high, that is, around 65%. To further encourage businesses to recover waste, the Government has extended the Programme on Source Separation of Waste to commercial and industrial (C&I) buildings. Starting from 2008, C&I buildings can apply to the Environmental Campaign Committee for waste separation bins to be placed on floors accessible to the public. Moreover, C&I buildings managed by owners' corporations can apply to the Environment and Conservation Fund for a subsidy for additional waste separation facilities.
Starting from this month, the Government has launched the waste reduction programme "Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future" to raise public awareness of source separation and waste reduction. An initiative is to liaise with property management companies to encourage them to install additional recovery facilities in their shopping malls and commercial buildings. This will help members of the public get into the habit of separating waste before disposal. Other initiatives include encouraging the public to use less disposable cutlery in cafes and restaurants. Training for domestic helpers will also be enhanced to help promote waste reduction.
(e) We are moving towards the practice of pairing up waste separation bins with litter bins if appropriate and circumstances permit, for example, causing no obstruction or posing no danger to road users.
Ends/Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:06
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